2nd teen dies from crash; driver sought is one of Jersey City's 'most violent' gang members

Updated on October 19, 2017 at 4:46 PM Posted on October 19, 2017 at 4:40 PM

By Caitlin MotaThe Jersey Journal

JERSEY CITY - A second teenager has died after being hit by a car in the Heights Wednesday afternoon and now police need help finding the driver, who has previously been identified as one of the city's "most violent" gang members.

Rashaun Bell, 20, is wanted for the deaths of Elionel Jimenez, 15, and a 16-year-old boy who was identified by school officials Alexander Rosas-Flores, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced.

Both boys were riding on the same bicycle at about 2:30 p.m. near Terrace Avenue and Leonard Street when they were struck by a gold Nissan Maxima allegedly driven by Bell. The 20-year-old and his three passengers left the car a few blocks away and fled on foot, Suarez said.

A 15-year-old boy is dead and another teenager has life-threatening injuries after they were struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run in Jersey City this afternoon, authorities said.

The crash occurred around 2:30 p.m. in the area where Leonard Street and Terrace Avenue converge with the Route 1&9 North ramp to Secaucus road. Police have stopped a vehicle on Secaucus Road in connection with the crash, Jersey City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said.

The juvenile who survived was thrown over an 8-foot fence and down 30 feet to the northbound lanes of Route 1&9, a source with knowledge of the investigation said.